Allison Ann’s Comments (group member since Oct 19, 2014)

Allison Ann’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I haven't answered any of the questions since the first set because I finished the whole book. I quite liked it until the very last thing that happened which I hated with a fiery passion. So I'm cranky about the whole thing now. Thought I had found a new series to enjoy but I suspect it will all be ruined now. I will definitely be back to whine when everyone finishes though.

I finished a book today that I really enjoyed, up until the very last page. I was so looking forward to having a new series to read but now I'm not sure if I want to continue. Worst thing is that it's the BotM and the discussion is only up to chapter 7 so I can't RANT for several weeks. :D

Answers for Chapters 1-3

1. What do you think of the writing style.

I rarely notice perspective or tense when I am reading. None of them bug me or strike me as odd so the fact that this was an unusual combination went completely over my head. I find Griffiths style itself above average. Her descriptions draw me in without being over the top. Repetition is to be expected especially when introducing a new series, but it isn't enough to annoy me and I want to keep reading.

2. Is anyone as excited as I am to learn about some archaeology?

I LOVE books where there is some type of background interest like archaeology. You don't get useless bits of knowledge for winning trivia competitions by running marathons or growing heirloom tomatoes after all. Reading makes you smart, or at least smarter than the average bear. Plus seeing how many people roll their eyes at you when you chime in with some esoteric bit of trivia is fun. I have already learned a new word from this book, but it is after chapter 3 so I won't say it here.

3. There seems to be a juxtaposition in the book between science and religion. On the one hand we have Ruth's Born Again Christian parents. Then on the other hand we have atheist Ruth, who is all about carbon dating and scientific facts. And even on another hand we have some sort of ancient sacrificial ritualistic iron age religion thing going on. Any thoughts on all this?

This is actually one of the few quibbles I have with this book. Religion placed in for no reason other than conflict doesn't interest me. I hope that her parents don't become a source of constant hatred for Ruth.

4. Any ideas on what the title The Crossing Places might mean?

My initial idea is descriptive of the place the book takes place, the saltmarsh was originally a land bridge for crossing over from northern Europe. My second idea is spoilery so I shall wait.

So far I really like Ruth. I too enjoy children's books about ballet and horse-riding. I think she would be an interesting woman to talk to. :D

Finished The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa and now I'm about to sit down for a last couple hours of reading on my "day off". I should be able to finish something else, unless I start yet another book. ;)

That The Lies of Locke Lamora sounds like a great book. Wish I could get ahold of it. Unfortunately my library's fantasy budget is non-existant, basically because I'm the only one who would read it. :D Also I am poor and cheap, so no buying books when I can read thousands for free from that same library. Oh well.

I'm in the middle of a ton of books but can't seem to finish any without starting 4 more. Today's my day off so no 8 hours of reading for me. I'll probably finsh a bunch all at once later this week. Have a good day teammates.

I have a few books to finish before I get to book 2 but I think it is interesting how many of us are having the same problems with The Gunslinger. It will be neat to see if we all read The Drawing of the Three and go "Oooooh, now I get it." :D

I finished reading this today and honestly I didn't enjoy it much. Wasn't a bad book, but I was a teenager when I read it the first time and my tastes have definitely changed since then. I prefer my fantasy (and all my fiction) to have at least some element of good now. Also, I think King's youth when writing this book shows. I like to think, at least, that the "hooker with a heart of gold" character is one that most writers grow past. :) I hope anyway. I do remember liking the second book more during my first read, so I'll give at least The Drawing of the Three another chance and decide then if I'll go on.

I don't do audiobooks, I can't concentrate on them and I'm always drifting off into my own brain and then I don't have any idea what is going on when I finally drift back. I have the same problem with TV too. I'm a paper and ink kinda girl I guess.

Finished my first BR The Gunslinger today. I liked it much less than I did when I first read it as a teenager. I remember the second book being much better, so I'll continue with the series at least that far. We'll see about the rest. :)

Joi - I'm signed up for one BOTM - The Crossing Places and two BRs in November The Gunslinger and Whiskey Beach.

I added two books yesterday, the last 100 pages of The Silver Chalice which I loved and the last 300 pages of Blood Brothers which I hated. I should finish one or two more today.

I read the first 2 or 3 Sookie Stackhouse books a million years ago when they were released, but I've not read another one since. I really liked her Lily Bard series though - wish that one had kept going.

Cynthia wrote: "I finished it today. I decided to read both my old copy and the 2003 revision. There are 35 more pages in the revision, but a lot of the changes are subtle and I only noticed them because I was reading section for section. I chose to read the revision after the original, so I noticed extra material, but I don't know that I would have picked up on missing material if I had read the original second. (Did I make that confusing enough?

I enjoyed it more this time than the first read, perhaps because I've been through the entire series. I definitely prefer the revised version. It connects with the rest of the series better, and feels smoother. "

Good to know. It's been a long time since I read the original. I'm only about 60 pages into the new version and honestly my memory isn't great but nothing major is striking me as "new" or "different".

My shelf: TTIII


Current Reads:


Books Read:

The Silver Chalice by Thomas B. Costain - 11/08/14 - 503 pages - 50 pts.
Blood Brothers by Josephine Cox - 11/08/14 - 405 pages - 20 pts.
The Gunslinger by Stephen King - 11/09/14 - 300 pages - 20 pts.
Buddy Read - 30 pts.
The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank - 11/10/14 - 320 pages - 20 pts.
The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa by Neil Peart - 11/12/14 - 297 pages - 20 pts.
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths - 11/13/14 - 304 pages - 20 pts.
BoTM - 30 pts.
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts - 11/14/14 - 484 pages - 50 pts.
Buddy Read - 30 pts.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas - 11/15/14 - 830 pages - 90 pts.
Eye of the Storm by Jack Higgins - 11/16/14 - 352 pages - 20 pts.
An Amish Country Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard - 11/16/14 - 352 pages - 20 pts.
Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher - 11/18/14 - 752 pages - 90 pts.
Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods - 11/19/14 - 400 pages - 20 pts.
Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Theodore Roosevelt - 11/19/14 - 276 pages - 20 pts.
Cut and Thrust by Stuart Woods - 11/20/14 - 320 pages - 20 pts.
Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas - 11/21/14 - 308 pages - 20 pts.
The Unwelcomed Child by V.C. Andrews - 11/22/14 - 400 pages - 20 pts.
Unspeakable by Sandra Brown - 11/24/14 - 448 pages - 20 pts.
Exit the Milkman by Charlotte MacLeod - 11/24/14 - 311 pages - 20 pts.
Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken - 11/24/14 - 136 pages - 10 pts.
The Gift of Christmas: In the Spirit of...Christmas by Debbie Macomber - 11/25/14 - 448 pages - 20 pts.
The Stand by Stephen King - 11/26/14 - 1168 pages - 100 pts.
The Whole Truth by David Baldacci - 11/27/14 - 406 pages - 20 pts.
Deadlock by Iris Johansen - 11/29/14 - 374 pages - 20 pts.
Blind Side by Catherine Coulter - 11/30/14 - 384 pages - 20 pts.
Where I Belong by Alan Doyle - 11/30/14 - 315 pages - 20 pts.
Innocent Blood by P.D. James - 11/30/14 - 544 pages - 50 pts.



Allison's November Total = 910 pts.

Last edited 11/30/14

Alrighty, I probably should have figured this out before today, but oh well, me = unorganized. I have finished two books today since stupid insomnia woke me up at 4 a.m. and work was absolutely dead, therefore lots of reading. Do I claim only the number of pages I finished today in those books or claim the whole number of pages of the book? I'm pretty sure it's the second option but I'm second guessing myself now and not finding the answer written down anywhere.

Oh and we are totally going to win this game. I am annoyingly competitive and a fast reader. My losing streak ends here! ;)

Hi and welcome Tory!

Rosina wrote: "@Allison Ann - how much snow did you get? We are forecast for snow on Sunday...a good day for me to cozy up and get some books read.. "

No snow on the ground here yet but we had cold rain all day. Wish I could have been home reading. Enjoy your Sunday.

My first BR is already going on, The Gunslinger but I'm going to start reading it tomorrow so it counts. Seven more hours. :)

We're not a very chatty bunch this week, are we? :) Almost time to start counting books though. I've got a few on the go that are not progressing very quickly so hopefully I'll have something to finish early early on Saturday. Anyone have their first book planned?

I used to read Stephen King novels as soon as they came out. I don't remember when exactly I stopped but I do remember why. Last year I picked up Under the Dome and it all came flooding back. I think King is a great writer and a master storyteller but somewhere along the line (maybe around Dolores Claiborne or so?) he stopped writing an ending. It's almost as if he now writes until he gets tired of writing and then he just stops. No matter how weak or silly or abrupt - it's just done. His older novels don't have this problem but I loved Under the Dome until the last 10 pages of so and then I wanted to throw it across the room. Library book - couldn't but still. :)

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Don't worry Allison I'm in the same boat. I'm reading 'Salem's Lot. So, it's a lot of King going on right now."

It's all King, all the time. :)

I didn't start the book today either. And I have the next couple of days off work (where I do most of my reading), with tons of things scheduled so I suspect I won't really get reading until Thursday.

I got the newer version from the library. I don't remember the original though, it was almost 30 years ago after all.

Joi wrote: "Does anyone have any plans on how they will start off? What books do you plan on reading in the beginning? Do you wish to start off with large books or small books? Go day by day? "

Hey Joi, hope your computer part comes soon. I'm not a big planner. I tend to read what I feel like reading. I do have 10 books left to finish before the end of November, so I'll be finishing those off first - 4 of them being big books. Then I'll just get another stack from the library and work on those.

I did sign up for a few buddy reads and one BOM, so I guess those have to be somewhat scheduled in. I'm excited to be starting this new challenge though. Fun!

Got my library copy, I'm in.

I was hoping this read would be a bit later as I'm currently reading and that could be a bit too much concentrated King for the week, but oh well. If my mind is irrevocably destroyed probably no one will notice anyway. :D I'm in.

Picked this book up from the library today so I'll be joining. I'm on Balefire Dragons with Rachel so I'd be happy to do questions if there aren't enough people signed up.